[Adopted 1-19-1999 by Ord. No. 5108A (Art. IV, Ch. III, Section III, of the 1993 Code)]
As used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT
The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 (47 USC § 521 et seq.) and all amendments, including the Cable Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1992 [Pub. L. No. 103-385, 106 Stat. 1477 (1992)].
BASIC SERVICE
All subscriber services provided by the Grantee in one or more service tiers, which includes the delivery of local broadcast stations, and public, educational and government access channels. Basic service does not include optional program and satellite service tiers, a la carte services, per channel, per program, or auxiliary services for which a separate charge is made. However, Grantee may include other satellite signals on the basic service tier.
CABLE SERVICE
A. 
The one-way transmission to subscribers of:
(1) 
Video programming; or
(2) 
Other programming services; and
B. 
Subscriber interaction, if any, that is required for the selection or use of such video programming or other programming services.
CABLE SYSTEM or SYSTEM or CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM
A facility, consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment that is designed to provide cable service which includes video programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within a community, but such term does not include:
A. 
A facility that serves only to retransmit the television signals of one or more television broadcast stations;
B. 
A facility that serves subscribers without using any public right-of-way;
C. 
A facility of a common carrier which is subject, in whole or in part, to the provisions of Title II of the Act, except that such facility shall be considered a cable system (other than for purposes of Section 621(c) to the extent such facility is used in transmission of video programming directly to subscribers; or
D. 
Any facilities of any electric utility used solely for operating its electric utility system.
CITY
The City of Crystal Lake, Illinois.
CLASS IV CHANNEL
A signaling path provided by a cable communications system to transmit signals of any type from a subscriber terminal to another point in the cable communications system, as may be amended by the FCC from time to time.
CONTROL or CONTROLLING INTEREST
Actual working control or ownership of a system in whatever manner exercised. A rebuttable presumption of the existence of control or a controlling interest shall arise from the ownership, directly or indirectly, by any person or legal entity (except underwriters during the period in which they are offering securities to the public) of 25% or more of a cable system or the franchise under which the system is operated. A change in the control or controlling interest of a legal entity which has control or a controlling interest in a Grantee shall constitute a change in the control or controlling interest of the system under the same criteria. Control or controlling interest as used herein may be held simultaneously by more than one person or legal entity.
CONVERTER
An electronic device which converts signals to a frequency not susceptible to interference within the television receiver of a subscriber, and by an appropriate channel selector also permits a subscriber to view more than 12 channels delivered by the system at designated converter dial locations.
DWELLING UNIT
Any building or part of a building that is used as a home or residence.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission and any legally appointed, designated or elected agent or successor.
FRANCHISE
An initial authorization, or renewal thereof, issued by the City, as the franchising authority, to a Grantee to construct or operate a cable system.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
A contractual agreement entered into between the City and any Grantee hereunder that is enforceable by the City and by the Grantee, and which sets forth the rights and obligations between the City and the Grantee in connection with the franchise.
GRANTEE
A person or legal entity to whom or to which a franchise under this ordinance is granted by the City, along with the lawful successors or assigns of such person or entity.
GROSS REVENUES
All revenue collected by the Grantee, arising from or attributable to the provision of cable service by the Grantee within the City including, but not limited to periodic fees charged subscribers for any basic, optional, premium, per-channel or per-program service; franchise fees; installation and reconnection fees; leased channel fees; converter rentals and/or sales; program guide revenues; late or administrative fees; upgrade, downgrade or other change-in-service fees; local advertising revenues; revenues from home shopping and bank-at-home; revenues from the sale, exchange, use or cable cast of any programming developed on the system for community or institutional use; provided, however, that this shall not include bad debt, or any taxes on services furnished by the Grantee herein imposed directly upon any subscriber or user by the state, local or other governmental unit and collected by the Grantee on behalf of the governmental unit. "Bad debt" shall mean uncollectible revenue.
INITIAL SERVICE AREA
All areas in the City having a density of at least 25 dwelling units per street mile.
INSTALLATION
The connection of the system from feeder cable to a subscriber's terminal.
LOCAL ADVERTISING REVENUES
Local and regional advertising revenues derived from the sale of locally and regionally inserted advertising.
MAY
Is permissive.
NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS
As applied to the Grantee shall mean those hours during which similar businesses in the City are open to serve customers. In all cases, Normal business hours must include some evening hours at least one night per week, and/or some weekend hours.
NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
Those service conditions that are within the control of the Grantee. Those conditions that are not within the control of the Grantee include, but are not limited to natural disasters, civil disturbances, power outages, telephone network outages, and severe or unusual weather conditions. Those conditions which are ordinarily within the control of the Grantee include, but are not limited to, special promotions, pay-per-view events, rate increases, regular peak or seasonal demand periods, and maintenance or upgrade of the cable system.
PERSON
Any natural person or any association, firm, partnership, joint stock company, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation, or other legally recognized entity, private or public, whether for-profit or not-for-profit.
SERVICE INTERRUPTION OR OUTAGE
The loss of either picture or sound or both for a single or multiple subscriber(s).
SHALL
Is mandatory.
STREET
The surface of and all rights-of-way and the space above and below any public street, road, highway, freeway, lane, path, public way or place, sidewalk, alley, court, boulevard, parkway, drive or easement now or hereafter held by the City for the purpose of public travel and shall include other easements or rights-of-way as shall be now held or hereafter held by the City which shall, within their proper use and meaning entitle the Grantee to the use thereof for the purposes of installing poles, wires, cable, conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers, appliances, attachments, and other property as may be ordinarily necessary and pertinent to a cable television system.
SUBSCRIBER
Any person(s), firm, Grantee, corporation or other legal entity, or association lawfully receiving any service provided by a Grantee pursuant to this ordinance.
USER
A party utilizing a cable television system channel for purposes of production or transmission of material to subscribers, as contrasted with receipt thereof in a subscriber capacity.
Any Franchise granted by the City pursuant to Illinois statutes (Chapter 24, Article 11, Division 42, Para. 11-42-11) shall grant to the Grantee the right and privilege to erect, construct, operate and maintain in, upon, along, across, above, over and under the streets now in existence and as may be created or established during the term of the franchise any poles, wires, cable, underground conduits, manholes, and other television conductors and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation of a cable system.
A. 
Upon adoption of any franchise agreement and execution thereof by the Grantee, the Grantee agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions contained herein.
B. 
Any Grantee also agrees to provide all services specifically set forth in its application and to provide cable television service within the confines of the City ; and by its acceptance of the franchise, the Grantee specifically grants and agrees that its application is thereby incorporated by reference and made a part of the franchise.
Any franchise is for the legally incorporated territorial limits of the City and for any area henceforth added thereto during the term of the franchise.
Any franchise and the rights, privileges and authority granted under this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after final City approval thereof, as provided by law, and shall continue in force and effect for a term of no longer than 15 years. Such acceptance and promise shall be in writing duly executed and sworn to, by, or on behalf of the Grantee before a notary public or other officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such franchise shall be nonexclusive and revocable.
A. 
Current federal procedures and standards pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546, shall govern the renewal of any franchise awarded under this ordinance.
B. 
In the event that any or all of the applicable provisions of federal law are repealed or otherwise modified, Grantee and the City shall conduct the renewal process pursuant to the procedures as they exist upon the date of execution of this agreement. Any amendment to such procedures shall be agreed upon by both parties.
A. 
In accepting a franchise, the Grantee acknowledges that its rights thereunder are subject to the police power of the City to adopt and enforce general ordinances necessary to the safety and welfare of the public; and it agrees to comply with all applicable general laws and ordinances enacted by the City pursuant to such power.
B. 
Any conflict between the provisions of a franchise and any other current or future lawful exercise of the City's police powers shall be resolved in favor of the latter.
The City shall have the right to install and maintain upon the poles of the Grantee at a charge equal to Grantee's costs any wire or pole fixtures that do not unreasonably interfere with the cable television system operations of the Grantee. The City shall indemnify and hold harmless the Grantee from any claim that might arise due to or as a result of the City's use.
Costs to be borne by a Grantee shall include any requirements or charges incidental to the awarding or enforcing of its initial franchise, but shall not be limited to: all costs of publications of notices prior to any public meeting provided for pursuant to this ordinance, and any costs not covered by application fees incurred by the City in its study, preparation of proposal documents, evaluation of all applications, and examination of the applicant's qualifications.
All notices from the Grantee to the City pursuant to any franchise shall be to the City Clerk. The Grantee shall maintain with the City, throughout the term of the franchise, an address for service of notices by mail. The Grantee shall maintain a central office to address any issues relating to operating under this Cable Television Ordinance.
A. 
Within 30 days after the award of an initial or renewal franchise, the Grantee shall deposit with the City either an irrevocable letter of credit from a financial institution, security deposit, or a corporate guarantee in lieu of bond in the amount of $25,000. The form and content of such letter of credit or security deposit shall be approved by the City Attorney. These instruments shall be used as security for the faithful performance of the Grantee of all provisions of this ordinance, and as security for compliance with all orders, permits and directions of any agency, commission, board, department, division, or office of the City having jurisdiction over its acts or defaults under this ordinance, and as security for the payment by the Grantee of any claims, liens, and taxes due the City which arise by reason of the construction, operation or maintenance of the system.
B. 
The letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond shall be maintained at the amount established in Subsection A for the entire term of the franchise, even if amounts have to be withdrawn pursuant to this ordinance.
C. 
If the Grantee fails to pay to the City any amounts owed under the franchise agreement that are not on appeal to a court of proper jurisdiction within the time fixed herein, or fails after 30 days' notice to pay to the City any taxes due and unpaid; or fails to repay the City within 30 days' notice any damages, costs or expenses that the City is compelled to pay by reason of any act or default of the Grantee in connection with the franchise, or fails, after seven days notice by the City to comply with any provision of the franchise that the City reasonably determines can be remedied by demand on the letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond, the City may immediately demand payment of the amount thereof, with interest and any penalties, from the letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond. Upon such demand for payment, the City shall notify the Grantee of the amount and date thereof.
D. 
The rights reserved to the City with respect to the letter of credit are in addition to all other rights of the City, whether reserved by the franchise or authorized by law, and no action, proceeding or exercise of a right with respect to such letter of credit shall affect any other right the City may have.
E. 
The letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond shall contain an endorsement agreeing that the letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond may not be canceled by the surety nor the intention not to renew be stated by the surety until 30 days after receipt by the City, by registered mail, of a written notice of such intention to cancel or not to renew.
F. 
In the event the City receives a thirty-day notice from a surety to cancel such letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond, the City shall forward such notice to Grantee via certified mail. Upon receipt of notice, Grantee shall have 14 days to provide grantor a replacement letter of credit. This section shall not apply if the City and Grantee agree that a letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond is no longer required or if the letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond is, by agreement between the City and Grantee, in the process of being reduced.
G. 
The City may, at any time during the term of this ordinance, waive the Grantee's requirement to maintain a letter of credit, security deposit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond. The waiver of the requirement may be initiated by the City or may be requested by the Grantee.
A. 
Within 30 days after the award of an initial franchise (excluding renewed franchises), the Grantee shall file with the City a performance bond in the amount of not less than 50% of the costs to install the system in favor of the City. This bond shall be maintained throughout the construction period and until such time as determined by the City, unless otherwise specified in the franchise agreement.
B. 
If the Grantee fails to comply with any law, ordinance or resolution governing the franchise, or fails to observe, fulfill and perform each term and condition of the franchise, as it relates to the conditions relative to the construction of the system, including the franchise agreement that is incorporated herein by reference, there shall be recoverable jointly and severally, from the principal and surety of the bond, any damages or losses suffered by the City, including the full amount of any compensation, indemnification, or cost of removal or abandonment of any property of the Grantee, plus a reasonable allowance for attorney's fees, including the City's legal staff, and costs, up to the full amount of the bond. This section shall be an additional remedy for any and all violations outlined in § A700-30.
C. 
The City shall, upon completion of construction of the service area, waive or reduce the requirement of the Grantee to maintain the bond. However, the City may require a performance bond to be posted by the Grantee for any construction subsequent to the completion of the initial construction where the estimated cost of the project exceeds $100,000. Such performance bond shall be in the amount of 100% of the estimated restoration costs as estimated by the City and upon such terms as determined by the City. This bond shall be maintained throughout the construction period and until such time as restoration is completed as determined by the City, unless otherwise specified in the franchise agreement.
D. 
The bond shall contain an endorsement stating that the bond may not be canceled by the surety nor the intention not to renew be stated by the surety until 30 days after receipt by the City, by registered mail, a written notice of such intent to cancel and not to renew.
E. 
Upon receipt of a thirty-day notice, and following a thirty-day period to cure, this shall be construed as default granting the City the right to demand payment on the bond.
F. 
The City, at any time during the term of this ordinance, may waive Grantee's requirement to maintain a performance bond. The waiver of the requirement can be initiated by the City or the Grantee.
A. 
The Grantee shall maintain and by its acceptance of the franchise specifically agrees that it will maintain throughout the term of the franchise, liability insurance insuring the City and the Grantee in the minimum amount of:
(1) 
One million dollars for property damage to any one person;
(2) 
Three million dollars for property damage from any one occurrence;
(3) 
One million dollars for personal injury to any one person; and
(4) 
Three million dollars for personal injury from any one occurrence.
B. 
The certificate of insurance obtained by the Grantee in compliance with this section shall be filed and maintained with the City during the term of the franchise. The Grantee shall immediately advise the City Attorney of any litigation that may develop that would affect this insurance.
C. 
Neither the provisions of this section nor any damages recovered by the City thereunder, shall be construed to or limit the liability of the Grantee under any franchise issued hereunder.
D. 
Such insurance policies provided for herein shall name the Grantor, its officers, boards, commissions and employees as additional insured, and shall be primary to any insurance carried by the Grantor, and shall contain an endorsement stating that the insurance policy may not be canceled by the surety nor the intention not to renew be stated by the surety until 30 days after receipt by the City, by registered mail, of written notice of such intention to cancel or not to renew.
A. 
Disclaimer of liability. In accordance with federal and state law, the City shall not at any time be liable for injury or damage occurring to any person or property from any cause whatsoever arising out of the construction, maintenance, repair, use, operation, condition or dismantling of the Grantee's cable television system or due to the act or omission of any person or legal entity other than the City or those persons or legal entities for which the City is legally liable as a matter of law.
B. 
Indemnification. In accordance with federal and state law, Grantee shall, at its sole cost and expense, indemnify and hold harmless the City, its respective officers, boards, departments, commissions and employees (hereinafter referred to as "indemnitees") from and against any and all claims including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, expert witnesses and consultants.
C. 
Assumption of risk.
(1) 
The Grantee undertakes and assumes for its officers, directors, agents, contractors and subcontractors and employees all risk of dangerous conditions, if any, on or about any City-owned or -controlled property, including public rights-of-way, and the Grantee hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the indemnitees against and from any claim asserted or liability imposed upon the indemnitees for personal injury or property damage to any person arising out of the installation, operation, maintenance or condition of the cable television system or the Grantee's failure to comply with any federal, state or local law.
(2) 
The City shall hold Grantee harmless for any damages resulting from the negligence or misconduct of the Grantor or its officials, boards, departments, commissions or employees including utilizing any PEG access channels, equipment or facilities.
D. 
Defense of indemnitees. In the event any action or proceeding shall be brought against any or all of the indemnitees by reason of any matter for which the indemnitees are indemnified hereunder, the Grantee shall, upon notice from any of the indemnitees, at the Grantee's sole cost and expense, defend the same.
E. 
Notice, cooperation and expenses. The City shall give the Grantee reasonably prompt notice of the making of any claim or the commencement of any action, suit or other proceeding covered by the provisions of this section. No recovery by the City of any sum under the letter of credit shall be any limitation upon the liability of the Grantee to the City under the terms of this section, except that any sum so received by the City shall be deducted from any recovery which the City might have against the Grantee under the terms of this section.
F. 
Nonwaiver of statutory limits. Nothing in this ordinance is intended to express or imply a waiver by the City of statutory provisions, privileges or immunities of any kind or nature as set forth in Illinois statutes, including the limits of liability of the City.
A. 
The Grantee shall not deny service, deny access, or otherwise discriminate against subscribers, channel users, or general citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, income, sex, marital status, sexual preference or age. The Grantee shall comply at all times with all other applicable federal and state laws.
B. 
The Grantee shall strictly adhere to the equal employment opportunity requirements of the Federal Communications Commission and of state and local governments, and as amended from time to time.
C. 
The Grantee shall, at all times, comply with the privacy requirements of state and federal law.
D. 
The Grantee is required to make all services available to all residential dwellings throughout the service area located in areas having a density of at least 25 dwelling units per street mile.
A. 
New construction timetable.
(1) 
Within two years from the date of the award of an initial franchise, the Grantee must make cable television service available to every dwelling unit within the initial service area.
(a) 
The Grantee must make cable television service available to at least 20% of the dwelling units within the initial service area within six months from the date of the award of the franchise.
(b) 
The Grantee must make cable television service available to at least 50% of the dwelling units within the initial service area within one year from the date of the award of the franchise.
(2) 
The Grantee, in its application, may propose a timetable of construction which will make cable television service available in the initial service area sooner than the above minimum requirements, in which case the said schedule will be made part of the franchise agreement, and will be binding upon the Grantee.
(3) 
Any delay beyond the terms of this timetable, unless specifically approved by the City, will be considered a violation of this ordinance for which the provisions of either § A700-54 or A700-63 shall apply, as determined by the City.
(4) 
In special circumstances the City may waive 100% completion within the two-year time frame, provided substantial completion is accomplished within the allotted time frame, substantial completion to be not less than 95%. Justification for less than 100% must be submitted subject to the approval of the City.
B. 
Line extensions:
(1) 
In areas of the franchise territory not included in the initial service areas, a Grantee shall be required to extend its system pursuant to the following requirements:
(a) 
No customer shall be refused service arbitrarily. Grantee is hereby authorized to extend the cable system as necessary within the City. To expedite the process of extending the cable system into a new subdivision, the City will forward to the Grantee an approved plat of subdivision of each project. Subject to the density requirements, the Grantee shall commence the design and construction process upon receipt of the final plat of subdivision. Upon notification from the City that the first home in the project has been approved for a building permit, the Grantee shall have a maximum of three months, weather permitting to complete the construction/activation process within the applicable project phase.
(b) 
The Grantee shall extend and make cable television service available to every dwelling unit in all unserved, developing areas having at least 25 dwelling units per street mile, as measured from the existing system.
(c) 
The Grantee shall extend and make cable television service available to any isolated resident outside the initial service area requesting connection at the standard connection charge, if the connection to the isolated resident would require no more than a standard one-hundred-fifty-foot drop line.
(2) 
Early extension. In areas not meeting the requirements for mandatory extension of service, the Grantee shall provide, upon the request of a potential subscriber desiring service, an estimate of the Grantee's costs required to extend service to the subscriber. The Grantee shall then extend service upon request of the potential subscriber. The Grantee may require advance payment of the cost of the extension or assurance of payment satisfactory to the Grantee. In the event the area reaches the density required for mandatory extension within two years, such payments which exceed the standard installation costs for said installation shall be refunded to the subscriber.
(3) 
New development undergrounding. In cases of new construction or property development where utilities are to be placed underground, the developer or property owner shall give the Grantee reasonable notice of such construction or development, and of the particular date on which open trenching will be available for the Grantee's installation of conduit, pedestals and/or vaults, and laterals. The Grantee shall also provide specifications as needed for trenching. Costs of trenching and easements required to bring service to the development shall be borne by the developer or property owner; except that if the Grantee fails to install its conduit, pedestals and/or vaults, and laterals within five working days of the date the trenches are available, as designated in the notice given by the developer or property owner, then should the trenches be closed after the five day period, the cost of new trenching is to be borne by the Grantee. Except for the notice of the particular date on which trenching will be available to the Grantee, any notice provided to the Grantee by the City of a preliminary plat request shall satisfy the requirement of reasonable notice if sent to the local general manager of the Grantee prior to approval of the preliminary plat request.
C. 
Special agreements. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Grantee from serving areas within the legally incorporated boundaries of the City not covered under this section upon agreement with developers, property owners, residents, or businesses, provided that 5% of the gross revenues from those areas are paid to the City as franchise fees under § A700-44.
D. 
A Grantee may propose a line extension policy that will result in serving more residents of the City than as required above.
E. 
The violation of this section following a thirty-day period to cure shall be considered a breach of the terms of this ordinance, for which the provisions of either § A700-54 or A700-63 shall apply, as determined by the City.
A. 
Compliance with construction and technical standards. The Grantee shall construct, install, operate and maintain its system in a manner consistent with all laws, ordinances, construction standards, governmental requirements, and FCC technical standards. In addition, the Grantee shall provide the City, upon request, a written report of the results of the Grantee's annual proof of performance tests conducted pursuant to Federal Communications Commission standards and requirements.
B. 
Additional specifications:
(1) 
Construction, installation and maintenance of the cable television system shall be performed in an orderly and workmanlike manner. All cables and wires shall be installed, where possible, parallel with electric and telephone lines. Multiple cable configurations shall be arranged in parallel and bundled with due respect for engineering considerations.
(2) 
The Grantee shall at all times comply with:
(a) 
National Electrical Safety Code (National Bureau of Standards);
(b) 
National Electrical Code (National Bureau of Fire Underwriters);
(c) 
Applicable FCC or other federal, state and local regulations.
(3) 
In any event, the system shall not endanger or interfere with the safety of persons or property in the franchise area or other areas where the Grantee may have equipment located.
(4) 
Any antenna structure used in the system shall comply with construction, marking, and lighting of antenna structure, required by the United States Department of Transportation.
(5) 
All working facilities and conditions used during construction, installation and maintenance of the cable television system shall comply with the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(6) 
Radio frequency (RF) leakage shall be checked at reception locations for emergency radio services to prove no interference signal combinations are possible. Stray radiation shall be measured adjacent to any proposed aeronautical navigation radio sites to prove no interference to airborne navigational reception in the normal flight patterns. FCC rules and regulations shall govern.
(7) 
The Grantee shall maintain equipment capable of providing standby power for head end, transportation and trunk amplifiers for a minimum of two hours.
(8) 
In all areas of the City where all cables, wires and other like facilities of public utilities are placed underground, the Grantee shall place its cables, wires and other like facilities underground. When all public utilities relocate their facilities from pole to underground, the cable operator must concurrently do so.
A. 
Interference with persons and improvements. The Grantee's system, poles, wires and appurtenances shall be located, erected and maintained so that none of its facilities shall endanger or interfere with the lives of persons or interfere with the rights or reasonable health, safety or welfare of property owners who adjoin any of the streets and public ways, or interfere with any improvements the City may make, or hinder or obstruct the free use of the streets, alleys, bridges, easements or public property.
B. 
Restoration to prior condition. In case of any disturbance of pavement, sidewalk, landscaping, driveway or other surfacing, the Grantee shall, at its own cost and expense and in a manner approved by the City, replace and restore all paving, sidewalk, driveway, landscaping, or surface of any street or alley disturbed, in as good condition as before the work was commenced and in accordance with standards for such work set by the City. After 30 days' notice, if restoration measures are not performed to the reasonable satisfaction of the City, the City may undertake remedial restoration activities, such activities to be performed at the Grantee's cost.
C. 
Erection, removal and common uses of poles:
(1) 
No poles or other wire-holding structures shall be erected by the Grantee without prior approval of the City with regard to location, height, types, and any other pertinent aspect. However, no location of any pole or wire-holding structure of the Grantee shall be a vested interest and such poles or structures shall be removed or modified by the Grantee at its own expense whenever the City determines that the public health, safety or welfare would be enhanced thereby.
(2) 
Where poles or other wire-holding structures already existing for use in serving the City are available for use by the Grantee, but it does not make arrangements for such use, the City may require the Grantee to use such poles and structures if it determines that the public health, safety or welfare would be enhanced thereby and the terms of the use available to the Grantee are just and reasonable.
(3) 
Where the City desires to make use of the poles or other wire-holding structures of the Grantee and the use will not unduly interfere with the Grantee's operations, the City may require the Grantee to permit such use for reasonable consideration and terms.
D. 
Relocation of facilities. If at any time during the period of the franchise the City shall lawfully elect to alter, or change the grade of any street, alley or other public ways, the Grantee, upon reasonable notice by the City; shall remove or relocate as necessary its poles, wires, cables, underground conduits, manholes and other fixtures at its own expense. If funds are generally made available to users of the public rights-of-way for such relocation, the Grantee shall be entitled to its pro rata share of such funds.
E. 
Cooperation with building movers. The Grantee shall, at the request of any person holding a building moving permit issued by the City, temporarily raise or lower its wires to permit the moving of buildings. Expenses of such temporary removal, raising or lowering of wires shall be paid by the person making the request, and the Grantee shall have the authority to require such payment in advance. The Grantee shall be given at least 10 days advance notice to arrange for such temporary wire changes.
F. 
Tree trimming. The Grantee shall not remove any tree or trim any portion of any tree within any public street as defined herein without the prior consent of the City, except in an emergency situation. The Grantee shall provide notice to any affected residents at the same time that the Grantee applies to the City for consent to perform tree trimming. Grantee shall be responsible, shall defend and hold City harmless from any and all damages to any tree as a result of Grantee's trimming, or to the property surrounding any tree, whether such tree is trimmed or removed.
G. 
Road cuts. The Grantee shall not use road cuts for the laying of cable or wires without the prior approval of the City. In the absence of such approval, the Grantee shall utilize auguring.
A. 
The Grantee shall maintain all parts of the system in good condition throughout the entire franchise period.
B. 
Upon the reasonable request for service by any person located within the franchise territory, the Grantee shall, within 15 days, furnish the requested service to such person within terms of the line extension policy. A request for service shall be unreasonable for the purpose of this subsection if no distribution line capable of servicing that person's dwelling unit has been installed.
C. 
Temporary service drops:
(1) 
The Grantee shall put forth every effort to bury temporary drops within 10 working days after placement. Any delays for any other reason than listed will be communicated to the City. The following delays will be found understandable and within the course of doing business: weather, ground conditions, street bores, system redesign requirements and any other unusual obstacle, such as obstructive landscaping that is created by the customer.
(2) 
The Grantee shall provide monthly reports to the City, upon request, on the number of drops pending.
D. 
The Grantee shall render efficient service, make repairs promptly, and interrupt service only for good cause and for the shortest time possible. Such interruptions, insofar as possible, shall be preceded by notice and shall occur during periods of minimum system use.
E. 
The Grantee shall not allow its cable or other operations to interfere with television reception of subscribers or persons not served by the Grantee, nor shall the system interfere with, obstruct or hinder in any manner the operation of the various utilities serving the customers within the confines of the City, nor shall other utilities interfere with the Grantee's system.
A. 
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prohibit the enforcement of any federal, state or local law or regulation concerning customer service or consumer protection that imposes customer service standards or consumer protection requirements that exceed the customer service standards set out in this ordinance or that address matters not addressed in this ordinance.
B. 
The Grantee shall maintain a local or toll-free telephone access line which is available to its subscribers and shall have knowledgeable, qualified representatives available to respond to customer telephone inquiries regarding repairs 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
C. 
Under normal operating conditions, telephone answer, time including wait time and the time required to transfer the call, shall not exceed 30 seconds. This standard shall be met no less than 90% of the time as measured on a quarterly basis.
D. 
Under normal operating conditions, the customer will receive a busy signal less than 3% of the total time that the office is open for business.
E. 
A centrally located customer service center will be open for walk-in customer transactions a minimum of eight hours per day Monday through Friday, unless there is a need to modify those hours because of the location or customers served. The Grantee and City by mutual consent shall establish supplemental hours on weekdays and weekends as fits the needs of the community.
F. 
Under normal operating conditions, each of the following standards will be met no less than 95% of the time as measured on an annual basis.
(1) 
Standard installations will be performed within seven business days after an order has been placed. A standard installation is one that is within 150 feet of the existing system.
(2) 
Excluding those situations that are beyond its control, the Grantee will respond to any service interruption promptly and in no event later than 24 hours from the time of initial notification. All other regular service requests will be responded to within 36 hours during the normal work week for that system. The appointment window alternatives for installations, service calls and other installation activities will be: "morning" or "afternoon"; not to exceed a four-hour "window" during normal business hours for the system, or at a time that is mutually acceptable. The Grantee shall schedule supplemental hours during which appointments can be scheduled based on the needs of the community. If at any time an installer or technician is running late, an attempt to contact the customer will be made and the appointment rescheduled as necessary at a time that is convenient to the customer.
G. 
Subscriber credit for outages. Upon service interruption of a subscriber's cable service, the following shall apply:
(1) 
For service interruptions of more than four hours and up to four days, the Grantee shall provide, at the subscriber's request, a credit of 1/30th of one month's fees for affected services for each twenty-four-hour period service is interrupted for four or more hours for any subscriber, with the exception of subscribers disconnected because of nonpayment or excessive signal leakage.
(2) 
For interruptions of seven days or more in one month, the Grantee shall provide, at the subscriber's request, a full month's credit for affected services for all affected subscribers.
H. 
The Grantee shall provide written information for each of the following areas at the time of installation and at any future time upon the request of the customer:
(1) 
Product and services offered;
(2) 
Prices and service options;
(3) 
Installation and service policies;
(4) 
How to use the cable television services.
I. 
Bills will be clear, concise and understandable, with all charges for cable services itemized.
J. 
Credits will be issued promptly, but no later than the customer's next billing cycle following the resolution of the request and the return of the equipment by the Grantee if service has been terminated.
K. 
The Grantee shall notify customers a minimum of 30 days in advance of any rate or channel change.
L. 
The Grantee shall maintain and operate its cable system in accordance with the rules and regulations incorporated herein or as may be promulgated by Federal Communications Commission, the United States Congress, or the State of Illinois.
M. 
The Grantee shall keep a service log that indicates the nature of each unresolved service complaint received in the last 24 months, the date and time each complaint was received, the disposition of each complaint, and the time and date thereof. This log shall be made available for periodic inspection by the City.
N. 
The Grantee shall provide a copy of the FCC customer service standards to every subscriber via a bill insert at least once every calendar year, and shall also provide a copy of these customer service standards to every new customer within 30 days of connection.
A. 
It shall be the right of all subscribers to continue receiving service as long as their financial and other obligations to the Grantee are honored. If the Grantee elects to over build, rebuild, modify or sell the system, or the City gives notice of intent to terminate or fails to renew the franchise, the Grantee shall act so as to ensure that all subscribers receive continuous, uninterrupted service regardless of the circumstances in so far as technically possible.
B. 
If there is a change of franchise, or if a new operator acquires the system, the Grantee shall cooperate with the City, new franchisee or new operator to maintain continuity of service to all subscribers.
C. 
If the Grantee fails to operate the system for seven consecutive days without prior approval of the City or without just cause, the City may, at its option, operate the system or designate an operator until such time as the Grantee restores service under conditions acceptable to the City or a permanent operator is selected. If the City is required to fulfill this obligation for the Grantee, the Grantee shall reimburse the City for all reasonable costs or damages that are the result of the Grantee's failure to perform.
A. 
The City Council or its designee has primary responsibility for the continuing administration of the franchise and implementation of complaint procedures.
B. 
During the terms of the franchise and any renewal thereof, the Grantee shall maintain a central office, designated by the Grantee, for the purpose of receiving and resolving all complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions, and similar matters. The office must be reachable by a local and/or toll-free telephone call to receive complaints regarding quality of service, equipment functions and similar matters. The Grantee will make good faith efforts to arrange for one or more payment locations in a central location where customers may pay bills or drop off equipment.
C. 
As subscribers are connected or reconnected to the system, the Grantee shall, by appropriate means, such as a card or brochure, furnish information concerning the procedures for making inquiries or complaints, including the name, address and local telephone number of the employee or employees or agent to whom such inquiries or complaints are to be addressed.
D. 
When there have been similar complaints made, or where there exists other evidence, which, in the judgment of the City, casts doubt on the reliability or quality of cable service, the City shall have the right and authority to require the Grantee to test, analyze and report on the performance of the system. The Grantee shall fully cooperate with the City in performing such testing and shall prepare results and a report, if requested, within 30 days after notice. Such report shall include the following information:
(1) 
The nature of the complaint or problem that precipitated the special tests;
(2) 
The system component(s) tested;
(3) 
The equipment used and procedures employed in testing;
(4) 
The method, if any, in which such complaint or problem was resolved;
(5) 
Any other information pertinent to the tests and analysis which may be required.
E. 
The City may require that tests be supervised by an independent professional engineer or equivalent of the City's choice at the City's expense. The engineer shall be given records of special tests and may forward to the City such records with a report interpreting the results of the tests and recommending actions to be taken. Grantee shall reimburse the City for the engineer's fees if the engineer determines that the cable system fails to meet FCC signal quality standards on more than 15% of the measurements taken.
F. 
The City's rights under this section shall be limited to requiring tests, analysis and reports covering specific subjects and characteristics based on complaints or other evidence when and under such circumstances as the City has reasonable grounds to believe that the complaints or other evidence require that tests be performed to protect the public against substandard cable service.
The Grantee shall have the authority to promulgate such rules, regulations, terms and conditions governing the conduct of its business as shall be reasonably necessary to enable the Grantee to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under the franchise, and to assure uninterrupted service to each and all of its customers; provided, however, that such rules, regulations, terms and conditions shall not be in conflict with the provisions hereof or applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
A. 
A Grantee shall pay to the City a franchise fee in the amount designated in the franchise agreement. Unless otherwise specified in the franchise agreement, such franchise fee shall be 5% of the Grantee's gross revenues.
B. 
The franchise fee payment shall be in addition to any other tax or payment owed to the City by the Grantee and shall not be construed as payment in lieu of municipal property taxes or other state, county or local taxes.
C. 
The franchise fee and any other costs or penalties assessed shall be payable quarterly on a calendar year basis to the City within 45 days of the end of each quarter. The Grantee shall also file a complete and accurate verified statement of all gross revenues as previously defined within 45 days of the end of each quarter.
D. 
The City shall have the right to inspect the Grantee's income records and to audit and recompute any amounts determined to be payable under this ordinance; provided, however, that such audit shall take place within 60 months following the close of each of the Grantee's fiscal years that is the subject of the audit. Any additional amount due the City as a result of an audit shall be paid within 30 days following written notice to the Grantee by the City, which shall include a copy of the audit report.
E. 
If any franchise fee payment or amount owed to the City, cost or penalty, is not made on or before the applicable dates heretofore specified, interest shall be charged from such date at an annual rate of 12% if the delinquent payment exceeds 3% annually.
A. 
A franchise shall not be assigned or transferred, either in whole or in part, or leased or sublet in any manner, nor shall title thereto, either legal or equitable or any right, interest or property therein, pass to or vest in any person without the prior written consent of the City. The Grantee may, however, transfer or assign the franchise to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Grantee and such subsidiary may transfer or assign the franchise back to the Grantee without such consent, providing that such assignment is without any release of liability of the Grantee. Any proposed assignee must show legal, technical and financial responsibility as determined by the City and must agree to comply with all provisions of the franchise. The City shall have 120 days to act upon any request for approval of a sale or transfer submitted in writing that contains or is accompanied by all such information as is required in accordance with FCC regulations and by the City. The City shall be deemed to have consented to a proposed transfer or assignment if its refusal to consent (including the reasons therefor) is not communicated in writing to the Grantee within 120 days following receipt of written notice together with all necessary information as to the effect of the proposed transfer or assignment upon the public, unless the requesting party and the City agree to an extension of time. The City shall not unreasonably withhold consent to a proposed transfer.
B. 
The Grantee shall promptly notify the City of any actual or proposed change in, or transfer of, or acquisition by any other party of, control of the Grantee. The word "control" as used herein is not limited to major stockholders but includes actual working control in whatever manner exercised. A rebuttable presumption that a transfer of control has occurred shall arise upon the acquisition or accumulation by any person or group of persons of 25% of the voting shares of the Grantee. Every change, transfer or acquisition of control of the Grantee shall make the franchise subject to cancellation unless and until the City shall have consented thereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. For the purpose of determining whether it shall consent to such change, transfer or acquisition of control, the City may inquire into the legal, technical, financial and other qualifications of the prospective controlling party, and the Grantee shall assist the City in such inquiry.
C. 
The consent or approval of the City to any transfer of the Grantee shall not constitute a waiver or release of the rights of the City in and to the streets, and any transfer shall by its terms, be expressly subordinate to the terms and conditions of the franchise.
D. 
In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the City shall not be required to approve any transfer or assignment of a new franchise prior to substantial completion of construction of the proposed system.
E. 
In no event shall a transfer of ownership or control be approved without the successor(s) in interest agreeing in writing to abide by the terms and conditions of the franchise agreement.
A. 
The Grantee shall fully cooperate in making available at reasonable times, and the City shall have the right to inspect at the Grantee's office, upon reasonable notice and where reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the franchise, books, records, maps, plans and other like materials of the Grantee applicable to the cable television system, at any time during normal business hours.
B. 
Unless prohibited by law, rule or regulation, the following records and/or reports are to be made available to the City upon request, but no more frequently than on an annual basis if so mutually agreed upon by the Grantee and the City:
(1) 
A yearly review and resolution or progress report submitted by the Grantee to the City;
(2) 
Periodic preventive maintenance reports;
(3) 
Copies of FCC Form 395-A (or successor form) or any supplemental forms related to equal opportunity or fair contracting policies;
(4) 
Subscriber inquiry/complaint resolution data (but not including names or addresses) and the right to review documentation concerning these inquiries and/or complaints periodically;
(5) 
Periodic construction update reports including, where appropriate, the submission of strand maps.
Copies of all petitions, applications, communications and reports submitted by the Grantee to the Federal Communications Commission, to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or to any other federal or state regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction in respect to any matters affecting cable television operations authorized pursuant to the franchise or received from such agencies shall be provided to the City upon request.
The Grantee shall file annually with the City no later than 120 days after the end of the Grantee's fiscal year, a copy of a gross revenues statement certified by an officer of the Grantee.
At the expiration of the term for which the franchise is granted or when any renewal is denied, or upon its termination as provided herein, the Grantee shall forthwith, upon written notice by the City, remove at its own expense all aerial portions of the cable television system from all streets and public property within the City within six months. If the Grantee fails to do so within six months, the City may perform the work at the Grantee's expense. Upon such notice of removal, a bond shall be furnished by the Grantee in an amount sufficient to cover this expense.
A. 
The cable television system shall have a minimum channel capacity of 79 channels.
B. 
Such system shall maintain a plant having the technical capacity for two-way communications.
C. 
The Grantee shall maintain the following:
(1) 
At least one specially designated, noncommercial public access channel.
(2) 
At least one specially designated channel for use by local education authorities.
(3) 
At least one specially designated channel for local governmental uses.
(4) 
At least one specially designated channel for leased access uses.
(5) 
If required by the franchise agreement, an Institutional Network (I-Net) of cable, optical, electrical or electronic equipment, including cable television systems, used for the purpose of transmitting two-way video signals interconnecting designated entities to be determined by the City. The cost of such network will be borne by the City as negotiated between the Grantee and the City. Such network may be provided as needed by utilizing capacity on the system.
(6) 
Provided, however, these uses may be combined on one or more channels until such time as additional channels become necessary in the opinion of the City. Studios and associated production equipment will be located in a mutually agreed upon site to meet the public's need for public access, education and local government channels as noted in Subsection C(1), (2) and (3). Financial and technical support and replacement and maintenance of equipment of this facility shall be separately incorporated into the franchise by agreement.
D. 
The Grantee shall incorporate into its cable television system the capacity to permit the City, in times of emergency, to override by remote control the audio, video and/or text of all channels simultaneously, which the Grantee may lawfully override. The Grantee shall provide emergency broadcast capacity pursuant to FCC roles. The Grantee shall cooperate with the City in the use and operation of the emergency alert override system.
A. 
In addition to the inherent powers of the City to regulate and control any cable television franchise, and those powers expressly reserved by the City, or agreed to and provided for herein, the right and power is hereby reserved by the City to promulgate such additional regulations as it shall find necessary in the exercise of its lawful powers and furtherance of the terms and conditions of the franchise; provided, however, that such rules, regulations, terms and conditions shall not be in conflict with the provisions hereof or applicable state and federal laws, roles and regulations and do not appreciably increase the burdens or appreciably impair the rights of the Grantee under the franchise agreement.
B. 
The City may also adopt such regulations at the request of Grantee upon application.
A. 
The City and the Grantee may hold scheduled performance evaluation sessions within 30 days of the third and sixth anniversary dates of the Grantee's award or renewal of the franchise and as may be required by federal and state law. All such evaluation sessions shall be open to the public.
B. 
Special evaluation sessions may be held at any time during the term of the franchise at the request of the City or the Grantee.
C. 
All evaluation sessions shall be open to the public and announced in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with legal notice. Upon written request from the City, the Grantee shall notify its subscribers of all evaluation sessions by announcements on at least one channel of its system between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., for five consecutive days preceding each session.
D. 
Topics which may be discussed at any scheduled or special evaluation session may include, but are not limited to: service rate structures; franchise fees; penalties; free or discounted services; application of new technologies; system performance; services provided; programming offered; customer complaints; privacy; amendments to this ordinance; judicial and FCC rulings; line extension policies; and Grantee or City rules. The City acknowledges that, pursuant to federal law, it does not have jurisdiction nor enforcement rights over all the standards and services mentioned above, including programming and the application of all new technologies under a cable television franchise. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the renegotiation of the cable franchise agreement.
E. 
Members of the general public may add topics either by working through the negotiating parties or by presenting a petition. If such a petition bears the valid signatures of 50 or more residents of the City, the proposed topic or topics shall be added to the list of topics to be discussed at the evaluation session.
Pursuant to the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, if the City is currently certified to regulate the basic service rates charged by Grantee, it may, under these rules, require the Grantee to obtain approval from the City for a rate increase for any change to the rates for basic service. Should federal or state law permit further rate regulation beyond basic service the City may, if certified, assume such rate regulation and adopt appropriate procedures for such regulation.
A. 
Pursuant to § A700-64, in addition to all other rights and powers retained by the City under this ordinance or otherwise, the City reserves the right to forfeit and terminate the franchise and all rights and privileges of the Grantee hereunder in the event of a substantial breach of its terms and conditions following the required thirty-day period to cure. A substantial breach by the Grantee shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:
(1) 
Violation of any material provision of the franchise or any material role, order, regulation or determination of the City made pursuant to the franchise;
(2) 
Attempt to evade any material provision of the franchise or to practice any fraud or deceit upon the City or its subscribers or customers;
(3) 
Failure to begin or complete system construction or system extension as provided under § A700-37;
(4) 
Failure to provide the services promised in the Grantee's initial application as incorporated herein by § A700-21;
(5) 
Failure to restore service after 96 consecutive hours of interrupted service, except when approval of such interruption is obtained from the City; or
(6) 
Material misrepresentation of fact in the application for or negotiation of the franchise.
B. 
The foregoing shall not constitute a major breach if the violation occurs but is without fault of the Grantee or occurs as a result of circumstances beyond its control. The Grantee shall not be excused by mere economic hardship nor by misfeasance or malfeasance of its directors, officers or employees.
C. 
The City may make a written demand that the Grantee comply with any such provision, role, order or determination under or pursuant to the franchise. If the violation by the Grantee continues for a period of 30 days following such written demand without written proof that the corrective action has been taken or is being actively and expeditiously pursued, the City may place the issue of termination of the franchise before the City Council. The City shall cause to be served upon the Grantee, at least 20 days prior to the date of such meeting, a written notice of intent to request such termination and the time and place of the meeting. Public notice shall be given of the meeting and the issue(s) which the Council is to consider.
D. 
The City Council shall hear and consider the issue(s) and shall hear any person interested therein and shall determine in its discretion whether or not any violation by the Grantee has occurred.
E. 
If the City Council determines that the violation by the Grantee was the fault of the Grantee and within its control, the Council may, by resolution declare that the franchise of the Grantee shall be forfeited and terminated unless there is compliance within such period as the Council may fix, such period to not be less than 30 days; provided, however, that no opportunity for compliance need be granted for fraud or material misrepresentation.
F. 
The issue of forfeiture and termination shall automatically be placed upon the Council agenda at the expiration of the time set by it for compliance. The Council may then terminate the franchise forthwith upon finding that the Grantee has failed to achieve compliance or it may further extend the period, at its discretion.
Upon the foreclosure or other judicial sale of all or a substantial part of the system, or upon the termination of any lease covering all or a substantial part of the system, the Grantee shall notify the City of such fact, and such notification shall be treated as a notification that a change in control of the Grantee has taken place, and the provisions of the franchise governing the consent of the City to such change in control of the Grantee shall apply.
A. 
Federal regulations as per 47 U.S.C. § 537 shall apply to approval of transfer issues and the right of acquisition by the City. In the event that the relevant federal regulations are repealed, the guidelines specified in Subsection B below shall apply.
B. 
Upon the expiration of the term of the franchise or upon any other termination thereof as provided herein, the City at its election and consistent with federal law shall have the right to purchase and take over the system upon resolution by the City Council.
The City shall have the right to cancel a franchise 120 days after the appointment of a receiver or trustee to take over and conduct the business of the Grantee, unless such receivership or trusteeship shall have been vacated prior to the expiration of 120 days, or unless:
A. 
Within 120 days after his/her election or appointment, such receiver or trustee shall have fully complied with all the provisions of this ordinance and remedied all defaults thereunder; and
B. 
Such receiver or trustee, within the 120 days, shall have executed an agreement, duly approved by the court having jurisdiction in the premises, whereby such receiver or trustee assumes and agrees to be bound by each and every provision of this ordinance and the franchise granted to the Grantee.
A. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the franchise to the contrary, the Grantee shall at all times comply with all laws and regulations of the state and federal government or any administrative agencies thereof; provided, however, if any such state or federal law or regulation shall require the Grantee to perform any service, or shall permit the Grantee to perform any service, or shall prohibit the Grantee from performing any service, in conflict with the terms of the franchise or of any law or regulation of the City, then as soon as possible following knowledge thereof, the Grantee shall notify the City of the point of conflict believed to exist between such regulation or law and the laws or regulations of the City or the franchise.
B. 
If the City determines that a material provision of this ordinance is affected by any subsequent action of the state or federal government, the City and the Grantee shall negotiate to modify any of the provisions herein to such reasonable extent as may be necessary to carry out the full intent and purpose of this ordinance.
C. 
If any section, sentence, paragraph, term, or provision hereof is determined to be illegal, invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction thereof, such determination shall have no effect on the validity of any other section, sentence, paragraph, term or provision hereof, all of which will remain in full force and effect for the term of the franchise, or any renewal or renewals thereof.
A. 
Interference with cable service prohibited. Neither the owner of any multiple unit residential dwelling nor his agent or representative shall interfere with the right of any tenant or lawful resident thereof to receive cable television service, cable installation or maintenance from a cable television Grantee regulated by and lawfully operating under a valid and existing franchise issued by the City.
B. 
Penalties and charges to tenants for service prohibited. Neither the owner or any multiple unit residential dwelling nor his agent or representative shall penalize, charge or surcharge a tenant or resident or forfeit or threaten to forfeit any right of such tenant or resident, or discriminate in any way against such tenant or resident who requests or receives cable television service from a Grantee operating under a valid and existing cable television franchise issued by the City.
C. 
Reselling service prohibited. No person shall resell, without the expressed, written consent of the Grantee, any cable service, program or signal transmitted by a cable television Grantee under a franchise issued by the City.
D. 
Protection of property permitted. Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit a person from requiring that cable television system facilities conform to laws and regulations and reasonable conditions necessary to protect safety, functioning, appearance and value of premises or the convenience and safety of persons or property.
A. 
All bids received by the City from the applicants for an initial franchise will become the sole property of the City.
B. 
The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids and waive informalities and/or technicalities where the best interest of the City may be served.
C. 
All questions regarding the meaning or intent of this ordinance or application documents shall be submitted to the City in writing. Replies will be issued by addenda mailed or delivered to all parties recorded by the City as having received the application documents. The City reserves the right to make extensions of time for receiving bids as it deems necessary. Questions received less than 14 days prior to the date for the opening of bids will not be answered. Only replies to questions by written addenda will be binding. All bids must contain an acknowledgment of receipt of all addenda.
D. 
Bids must be sealed, and submitted at the time and place indicated in the application documents for the public opening. Bids may be modified at any time prior to the opening of the bids, provided that any modifications must be duly executed in the manner that the applicant's bid must be executed. No bid shall be opened or inspected before the public opening.
E. 
Before submitting a bid, each applicant must:
(1) 
Examine this ordinance and the application documents thoroughly;
(2) 
Familiarize himself/herself with local conditions that may in any manner affect performance under the franchise;
(3) 
Familiarize himself/herself with federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting performance under the franchise; and
(4) 
Carefully correlate the bid with the requirements of this ordinance and the application documents.
F. 
The City may make such investigations as it deems necessary to determine the ability of an applicant to perform under the franchise, and the applicant shall furnish to the City all such information and data for this purpose as the City may request. The City reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such applicant fails to satisfy the City that such applicant is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the franchise and to complete the work contemplated therein. Conditional bids will not be accepted.
G. 
All bids received shall be placed in a secure depository approved by the City and shall not be opened nor inspected prior to the public opening.
A. 
No initial franchise will be granted to any applicant unless all requirements and demands of the City regarding financial, contractual, shareholder and system disclosure have been met.
B. 
Applicants, including all shareholders and parties with any interest in the applicant, shall fully disclose all agreements and undertakings, whether written or oral, or implied with any person, firm, group, association or corporation with respect to the franchise and the proposed cable television system. The Grantee of a franchise shall disclose all other contracts to the City as the contracts are made. This section shall include, but not be limited to, any agreements between local applicants and national companies.
C. 
Applicants, including all shareholders and parties with any interest in the applicant, shall submit all requested information as provided by the terms of this ordinance or the application documents, which are incorporated herein by reference. The requested information must be complete and verified as true by the applicant.
D. 
Applicants, including all shareholders and parties with any interest in the applicant, shall disclose the numbers of shares of stock, and the holders thereof, and shall include the amount of consideration for each share of stock and the nature of the consideration.
E. 
Applicants, including all shareholders and parties with any interest in the applicant, shall disclose any information required by the application documents regarding other cable systems in which they hold an interest of any nature, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) 
Locations of all other franchises and the dates of award for each location;
(2) 
Estimated construction costs and estimated completion dates for each system;
(3) 
Estimated number of miles of construction and number of miles completed in each system as of the date of this application; and
(4) 
Date for completion of construction as promised in the application for each system.
F. 
Applicants, including all shareholders and parties with any interest in the applicant, shall disclose any information required by the application documents regarding pending applications for other cable systems, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) 
Location of other franchise applications and date of application for each system;
(2) 
Estimated dates of franchise awards;
(3) 
Estimated number of miles of construction; and
(4) 
Estimated construction costs.
For the violation of any of the following provisions of this ordinance, damages shall be chargeable to the letter of credit or corporate guarantee in lieu of bond as follows, and the City may determine the amount of the forfeiture for other violations that are not specified in a sum not to exceed $175 for each violation, with each day constituting a separate violation:
A. 
Failure to furnish, maintain, or offer all cable services to any potential subscriber within the City pursuant to § A700-37 herein upon order of the City: $175 per day, per violation, for each day that such failure occurs or continues;
B. 
Failure to obtain or file evidence of required insurance, construction bond, performance bond, or other required financial security: $175 per day, per violation, for each day such failure occurs or continues;
C. 
Failure to provide access to data, documents, records, or reports to the City as required by §§ A700-36, A700-46, A700-47, A700-48 and A700-54: $175 per day, per violation, for each day such failure occurs or continues;
D. 
Failure to comply with applicable construction, operation, or maintenance standards: $175 per day, per violation;
E. 
Failure to comply with a rate decision or refund order: $250 per day, per violation, for each day such a violation occurs or continues;
F. 
Any violations for noncompliance with the customer service standards of §§ A700-40 and A700-42, the Grantee shall pay $175 per day for each day, or part thereof, that such noncompliance continues;
G. 
Any other violations of a franchise agreement to be determined by the Grantor in a public hearing but not specifically noted in this section shall not exceed $175 per day, per violation.
A. 
Whenever the City believes that the Grantee has violated one or more terms, conditions or provisions of the franchise, and wishes to impose penalties, a written notice shall be given to the Grantee informing it of such alleged violation or liability. The written notice shall describe in reasonable detail the specific violation so as to afford the Grantee an opportunity to remedy the violation. The Grantee shall have 30 days subsequent to receipt of the notice in which to correct the violation before the City may impose penalties unless the violation is of such a nature so as to require more than 30 days and the Grantee proceeds diligently within the 30 days to correct the violation. In any case where the violation is not cured within 30 days of notice from the City, or such other time as the Grantee and the City may mutually agree to, the City may proceed to impose liquidated damages.
B. 
The Grantee may, within 10 days of receipt of notice of damages, notify the City that there is a dispute as to whether a violation or failure has, in fact, occurred, Such notice by the Grantee to the City shall specify with particularity the matters disputed by the Grantee and shall stay the running of the thirty-day cure period pending Council decision as required below. The Council shall hear the Grantee's dispute. Grantee must be given at least five business days notice of the hearing. At the hearing, the Grantee shall be entitled to the right to present evidence and the right to be represented by counsel. After the hearing, the City shall provide Grantee a copy of its action, along with supporting documents. In the event the City upholds the finding of a violation, the Grantee shall have 15 days subsequent, or such other time period as the Grantee and the City mutually agree, to correct the violation.
C. 
The rights reserved to the City under this section are in addition to all other rights of the City whether reserved by this ordinance or authorized by law or equity, and no action, proceeding or exercise of a right with respect to penalties shall affect any other right the City may have.
D. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating provisions of this franchise for which another penalty is not provided shall be fined pursuant to Chapter 1, Article II, General Penalty, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Crystal Lake for each offense. Each day that any person, firm or corporation is in violation of the provisions of this franchise shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
The Grantee shall not be held in default under, or in noncompliance with, the provisions of the franchise, nor suffer any enforcement or penalty relating to noncompliance or default including termination, cancellation or revocation of the franchise, where such noncompliance or alleged defaults occurred or were caused by strike, riot, war, earthquake, flood, tidal wave, severe weather conditions or other catastrophic act of nature, labor disputes, inability to obtain necessary contract labor or materials, governmental, administrative or judicial order or regulation or other event that is reasonably beyond the Grantee's ability to anticipate and control and that makes performance impossible.